I have debacled my mower

After three summers of faithful service, my push mower has spit the bit. Went out to mow the grass earlier, and could not start it. I don't mean the motor wouldn't turn over, I mean the pull cord wouldn't budge. Tried unleashing it from the little hook on the side and the cord just retreated further into its shell like BYH's member at the 0:00:09 mark. I turned the mower over and cleaned out lots and lots of accumulated grass, but could not find anything on the outside to show where the cord was tangled.

Yes, call a mechanic/lawn mower specialist. Be prepared for a list of random crap that you can't possibly think is broken. I hit a tree stump with the blade last summer and needed not just a new blade, but a driveshaft and numerous other assorted parts. It was only slightly cheaper than buying a new mower.
Of course, every situation is different, so I hope yours is a quick fix and just needs a replacement bolt somewhere inside.

Get an electric. Smoother operation, greener than gas, better for the neighbors.

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I had a rechargeable mower. Unfortunately, and possibly because it was from the value line at Home Depot, it was of poor quality. The thin sheet metal the motor was mounted to shredded once, was welded back together, and then the metal around the welds shredded.